This driver, combined with an Intersil HIP63xx or ISL65xx multiphase buck pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller, forms a complete single-stage core voltage regulator solution with high-efficiency performance at high switching frequencies for advanced microprocessors, the company said. The highly integrated IC is said to save board space and parts count, and to reduce costs. Target applications include core power for both Intel and AMD processors; high-frequency, low-profile dc/dc converters; and high-current, low-voltage dc/dc converters.

The driver IC is biased by a single low-voltage (5-V) supply and is said to minimize lower-driver switching losses. Each IC is capable of driving a 3,000-picofarad load with an 8-nanosecond propagation delay and less than 10-ns transition time.

The part implements bootstrapping on the upper gate with an internal bootstrap Schottky diode, which reduces implementation cost and complexity. Adaptive shoot-through protection prevents the two MOSFETs from conducting simultaneously. The ISL6605 features a 4-A sink current for the lower gate driver, which is capable of holding the lower MOSFET gate off during switching to prevent shoot-through power loss. A three-state PWM input, when working together with Intersil multiphase PWM controllers, prevents negative transients on the output voltage when the output is being shut down. This feature eliminates the Schottky diode that is usually needed to protect the microprocessor from power system reverse-output voltage.

Package options for the part include an eight-lead SOIC and a 3 x 3-mm QFN. The high-frequency, small-package combination allows for extremely small and low-profile converter designs, Intersil said.

The driver is available now. The SOIC version, ISL6605-CB, is priced at 99 cents each and the QFN model, ISL6605CR, at $1.05, both in quantities of 10,000.